The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-07-12

| ihe law Is not an exact science, Dut
upon nearly all questions honest
difference of opinion may be enter
tanned, which, if expressed by the
court, should not evoke, except for
known fact, remarks discrediting the
motives of the judge.
Lawyers should treat that conduct
as dishonorable and unprofessional
which attempts by any method except
in open court in the presence of OPP
posing counsel, to influence, or draw
the opinion of the judge in pending
cause.
The public have right to hear and
see all that is done in the administra-
ton of justice.
Likewise the bar should be
so fortified with high moral
quality and admirable professional
ethics that hostile personalities would
never occur to offend the dignity of
the court or mar the fraternity of the
brethren of the bar.
The judge should always exercise
patient consideration and extend to
both sides full and fair hearing be-
fore announcing his decision,
This is rarer quality in judge
than is gratitude in the heart of an
unworthy friend.
Power, or judicial discretion, joined
with impartial courtesy is very fitting
in judge, yet no less lawyer than
the celebrated Curran had his large
practice at the bar driven from him,
a practical con6scation of property,
by the unfriendly persecution of Lord
Chancellor Glare, and in this state
instances have occurred where the
professional business of the lawyer
has been irreparably injured by the
petty tyranny of the court.
The public is qnick to perceive
who has the ear of the court, and
naturally prefers him who enjoys
the patronage of the judge,
realizing, however, all the while that
each case is entitled to deliberate
conscientious consideration. In the
weakness of human nature official pO-
sition often begets a haste to dispatch
business that sacrifices valuable rights,
to immature judgment and miscon-
ceived facts-and creates a judicial
discretion, in ignoring as authority,
less than three decisions of the su-
preme court upon the same point in
manifesting reluctant attention, in
abridging discussion to absurd limit.
thereby defeating proper presentation
of legal authorities. The number of
opinions delivered by judge is not
more certain standard of ability and
wise conclusion than is the number
of hairs upon mans head a sure in
dication of the the texture of his
brain.
The Judge owes to the bar a con-
slant disposition of fairness and cOur-
tesy to try upon its merits each case
brought before him, and should dis
dain to reinforce either side with
frivolous technicality for temporary
discontinue, because the court has
the last word.
A wrong judgment is often past in
demnity, for judges are not like other
officers under official bond, and con-
ditions and circumstances may be IN
favorable for appeal.
The only safe, satisfactory practice
guaranteeing sounder equitable judg-
ment is patient hearing of the de-
velopment of law and facts, an open
test of truth-from both plaintiff and
defendant.
1t is related of an able English
Judge, Lawrence, that he rendered
judgment for the plaintiff wherein the
defendant had no redress-and after
giving the matter farther considera-
ton, it appeared that he had altogeth-
er mistaken the law. The judge SYM
pathising wilh the defendant in the
hardship of his condition, in his will
bequeathed an ample sum in salts
faction of his loss. Have we psral-
lei case in Missouri?